The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-06-19

tho tariff bill, Of which he was the great de-
fender, passing both the House and Senate By
small maiorities. though Il II curious 70 note
that the bulk OF its support came from the grain
growing States. whereas Massachusetts,, New
Hampshire. and Maine were marshalled almost
solidly against II. Thus, Clay on the eve OF the
Presidential canvass achieved. ~ Mr. Schurz
points out 0 great triumph for himself He
had not only far outshone all others By his
championship OF the successful measure, but
he had given to the protective policy new
name, tho American System which became
inseparably identified with hisown."
It was not Clay. as We know. but Crawford
who got the nomination Of the Congressional
caucus, in which. however. only third Of the
Representatives belonging to his party took
part: but Clay was put forward as candidate
by the Legislatures OF Kentucky. Louisiana,
Missouri. and Ohio. That during tho cam
paisn. at all events. Clay. although no made no
secret Of his anxiety to DO elected President.
was guiltiess OF the bargains with which he
has sometimes been charged. the evidence nd
duced by Mr.. Schurz seems to prove beyond
doubt Had he accepted the coalition to which
he was invited BY Crawford's manager. Van
Buren,. no could. In all likelihood. have become
ce-President but he rejected an arrangement
with which we have since Been made familiar.
There was certainly no bargain on Clay's
part with jackson. Adams. or Crawford before
the voting Of the people for Presidential cleo
tors. But was there none between Clay or his
friends and the friends OF Adams. after 1t was
known that the election OF President would
devolve on the House Of Representatives
That large part Of the people OF this country
did for many years believe In tho existence OF
f-AN -tAA ~.vtlv
1t be disputed that this conviction prob
ably turned the scale against Clay In
his subsequent attempts to secure the
Presidency. Nevertheless Mr.. schurz. after
O close scrutiny Of all the evidence brought
forward on both sides, arrives at the con-
clusion. now we think generally accepted,
that tho charge was calumny. That
the Islander plagued and baffled Clay all
his life was due to his own blunder in
accepting from Adams the post Of Secretary OF
State. or. in other words. the very office which
Jackson's supporters had accused him In ad-
vance Of demanding as the price OF his infiu-
ence In the House Of Representatives. Mr..
Schurz not only recognizes the irreparable
injury inflicted BY this blunder on Clays
political prospects. but he indicates the
arguments and feelings BY which the step was
recommended. and brings out clearly the DOW
erful though unsvowed temptation to which
Clay perhaps succumbed. Up to that time.
singular prestige had clothed the office Of Sec
rotary Of State According to long line Of
precedents. which, even in the case Of Adams.
had been unbroken, the occupant OF that place
seemed indefeasibly possessed Of reversion-
ary interest In tho Chief Magistracy. Clay's
own experience had taught him that, although
Q statesman outside Of the Cabinet might be
widely known and eminent. he could not cope
with the sscendancy which . Secretary
Of State traditionally exercised over the
public mind.
No speaker Of the House OF Representa-
tives con hope to IN a higher place In
popular esteem than Clay did in 1924.
after many terms Of service; yet he had
proved the weakest OF the four candidates in
the Electoral College. Knowing his own inno-
cence Of any corrupt understanding, he natu-
rally supposed that he would presently live
down the aspersions Of his enemies. and from
his ooign Of vantage in the State Department,
organize his next canvass for the Presidency
with Irresistible efficiency. But he forgot
that precedent. which promised the success
sion to the Secretary Of State, had also held up
to every President the assurance Of a nomina-
ton for . second term and he did not foresee
the overwhelming defeat Of Adams In 1928. Had
had much to lose and nothing to gain by ex-
changing the Speakership for but four years
tenure OF the State Department
We quote paragraph in which Mr.. Schurz ex-
hibits. not only his own opinion. but the conclu-
sion reached BY Clay himself before the single
term Of Adams's Presidency was over: Tho
feeling grew upon him that he had. after all.
made great mistake in accepting the Secre-
taryship OF State in the Adams Administration.
He became painfully aware that this acceptance
had given color to the bargain and corruption
charge. It kept him busy year after year In
dresry iteration at the humiliating task OF
proving that he was an honest man: while. had
he not accepted, he might have remained In
Congress, the most formidable power in de-
BATE LEADING q host Of enthusiastic friends.
and defying his enemies to meet him face to
face" II. W. II.
Beck Notes.
"The Housekeepers Handy Book" (cassel Coz Ia
. useful little compendium Of cooking receipts and
many other things It includes Post once directory
aud = spelling book.